LONDON – The number of people seeking benefits in the U.K. is rising at the fastest pace on record and reinforcing fears that the country could see a surge in unemployment from its near 45-year low as a result of the lockdown measures put in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Government figures released Tuesday showed that the number of people seeking to tap the country's main benefit — Universal Credit — has soared in the weeks since the curbs on everyday life were implemented.
Following an analysis of the government figures, the independent Resolution Foundation economic think tank, says that 1.77 million individuals made a declaration for Universal Credit in the four weeks since the government advised against non-essential